NYC Air Quality Health Advisory Issued

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the NYC Metro Region, Long Island Region and Lower Hudson Valley Region of New York State for Tuesday, August 18, 2009.

The pollutant of concern is: Ozone and Fine Particulate Matter

The advisory will be in effect until: Ozone: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; FineParticulateMatter: 1 a.m. to 11 p.m.

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value leading to a greater health concern.

OZONE

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone - a major component of smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary causes of ground-level ozone and are the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

FINE PARTICULATE MATTER

Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce your exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

∙ use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;∙ conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;∙ turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;∙ use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;∙ close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;∙ limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at Aoff-peak@ (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;∙ set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;∙ purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and∙ reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.

A toll-free AirQualityHotline 1-800-535-1345 has been established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation. Further information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC=s web site at http://www.dec.ny.gov and http://www.health.state.ny.us on the DOH website.

is a digital media student at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He is covering Morrisania for the BronxInk.org. Ademo previously worked as a community organizer and activist. He is also the founder of OPride.com, a website that aggregates news about his home country of Ethiopia.